Chapter 6. Endings and Beginnings
Anne waited for the exam results. One week passed! Two weeks passed! Then, after three weeks, Diana arrived at Green Gables. She had some news. ‘Look at the results. You did really well. You and Gilbert are in first place! You're going to Queen's!'
Anne ran outside to tell Matthew. ‘Matthew, look at the list! First place!' Matthew looked at the list. There was a smile on his face.
Marilla didn't smile. She cried. ‘You're going away now. What will I do without you?'
‘Don't worry, Marilla,' said Anne. ‘I'll always be your little girl. I'll always love you, and Matthew, and Green Gables.'
In September, the day finally arrived. Anne went to Queen's. On the first day, she met all the students and teachers. There were fifty other students. Every spring, at Queen's, there were two prizes for the best students. The winners of
the prizes went to Redmond College. This was a very important college.
Anne worked hard at Queen's in the winter months. She enjoyed her time there, but she went home every weekend. Sometimes, Anne thought of Gilbert. I want to have a friend like Gilbert, she thought. I want to talk to him about lots of things.
Anne did well at Queen's, and soon spring arrived.
I love spring, thought Anne. But spring this year is different. Now the Academy must choose the top two students. I want to go to Redmond College.
The day arrived. Who are the top two students? Who will win the prizes? thought Anne.
Anne arrived at Queen's and then she received the news. The winners of the prizes were Gilbert Blythe... and Anne Shirley!
Anne! That's me, thought Anne. Now I can go to Redmond College next September. I must write to Marilla and Matthew.
Marilla and Matthew were very proud of their
Anne. They came to visit Anne. And then Anne went home to Green Gables with them.
Some days passed, and then Diana arrived with some surprising news.
‘Anne, Gilbert isn't going to Redmond College. He wants to be a teacher at our school in Avonlea.'
Anne didn't know why, but she was quite sad. It'll be strange without Gilbert, she thought.
At breakfast the next morning, Anne looked at Matthew. He wasn't well. ‘He's having problems with his heart,' explained Marilla.
Anne looked at Marilla. ‘You're also not well, Marilla. You work too hard. You must rest now that I'm at home.'
‘Well, a special doctor is coming here in June. I must see him.'
Then Marilla told Anne some more bad news. ‘All our money is in the bank, and the bank is having problems. I'm worried about our money.'
Later that day, Anne talked to Matthew. ‘You work too hard,' said Anne. ‘I'd like to help you, but you need a boy.'
‘I prefer you to one hundred boys,' said
Matthew. ‘My girl, who I'm proud of.'
Anne always remembered that moment. It was her last conversation with her dear Matthew.
The next morning, Matthew came out of the house and something terrible happened. Matthew fell down.
‘Matthew! Matthew! Are you alright?' cried Marilla. ‘Anne, we must get the doctor!'
Anne and Marilla tried to help Matthew.
‘Oh, Marilla,' said Anne, ‘I don't think we can help him anymore.'
‘You're right,' said Marilla.
The doctor arrived. He told Anne and Marilla the terrible news.
‘Matthew is dead. He probably died from a shock.'
Anne and Marilla looked at a piece of paper in Matthew's hand. That was the shock. It was a letter from the bank. Their bank didn't have any more money.
This also means that we don't have any money, thought Marilla.
Anne was very sad. She didn't want to speak
to other people. In her bedroom, Anne tried to cry, but she couldn't cry. Then she remembered Matthew's last words:
‘My girl, who I'm proud of.'
Then Anne cried. Marilla heard Anne. She went into her bedroom. They sat together.
‘Oh, Marilla, what can we do without Matthew?' said Anne.
‘I have you, Anne and you have me.'
Then Marilla said something to Anne for the first time.
‘Anne, you know that I love you very much.' Anne and Marilla sat together, and thought of Matthew.
Two days later, the minister's wife, Mrs. Allen, visited Anne. ‘Remember to be happy… for Matthew, and for Marilla,' said Mrs. Allen. ‘Matthew liked to see your happy face. Marilla will be very sad when you go away to Redmond College.'
Anne didn't say anything.
It was difficult to think of life without Matthew.
But Marilla had to see the doctor.
When Marilla returned Anne asked her, ‘What did the doctor say?'
‘He said that I must wear glasses, and I must stop reading. Oh Anne, what if I go blind? What can I do?'
‘Don't worry,' said Anne, ‘the glasses will stop your headaches and I'm sure you aren't going blind.'
‘There's another thing I have to say,' said Marilla. ‘I am selling Green Gables.'
‘Oh, Marilla, don't sell Green Gables!' said Anne.
‘What can I do? We don't have any money,' said Marilla.
‘You mustn't sell Green Gables. You don't have to stay here alone. I'm staying with you. I'm not going to Redmond College. I can teach now. I can teach at a school near here. In the summer, I can come back home every day and in the winter, I can come home at weekends.'
‘Oh, Anne, I know I can be happy with you here. But what about your plans?'
‘I have a plan,' said Anne. ‘And that is to be a
teacher. I don't want to lose Green Gables!'
Rachel heard the news. She came to Green Gables to speak to Anne. ‘I think you're a very good girl to stay with Marilla,' said Rachel. ‘You can teach here in Avonlea.'
‘But what about Gilbert?' asked Anne.
‘Gilbert knows that you're staying at Green Gables, so, he decided not to teach in Avonlea. He wants you to teach in Avonlea. He's going to another school.'
Anne was so happy. She could come home every day to Green Gables! She could be with Marilla every day.
The next evening, Anne went for a walk. She saw a boy near her. It was Gilbert! Anne stopped him and said, ‘Gilbert thank you for giving Avonlea school to me. It was very kind of you.'
‘I was happy to help you,' said Gilbert. ‘Now, can we be friends?'
Anne laughed. ‘We can be the best of friends.'
And so Anne and Gilbert walked home.
I want to be happy now, for Matthew, thought Anne. I have my imagination. I have a new friend and I can be a teacher. What an exciting future!
